ATTORNEY GENERAL MADIGAN FILES SUIT AGAINST MURPHYSBORO TOWING COMPANY FOR OPEN DUMPING

Chicago — Attorney General Lisa Madigan has filed suit against the owners of a rural Murphysboro business for alleged open dumping violations following two inspections that revealed approximately 7,750 cubic yards of stored or abandoned waste.

Richard L. Holmes, d/b/a Rich's Towing, operates a towing business and two vehicle impound yards on eight acres off Highway 51 North, west of Murphysboro, and a nearby second facility located on five acres at 56 Airport Road. Linda L. Holmes is named in the lawsuit as a co-owner of the Airport Road site.

"With the filing of this lawsuit, we're working to ensure that this business will be held accountable for the damage caused to the local environment," Attorney General Madigan said.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) conducted site inspections at both locations and found old vehicles, used and waste tires with some still on the rims, old mobile homes, assorted trash and construction debris strewn throughout the properties. Some of the waste was clearly visible from Highway 51.

Madigan's suit asks the court to issue an injunction requiring the defendants to remediate the area and a civil penalty of $50,000 for each violation and $10,000 for each day the violations continued.

Assistant Attorney General Kelly Phelps is handling the case filed in Jackson County Circuit Court for Madigan's Environmental Bureau in Springfield.